Skrtel Suspended

LONDON. — Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel will serve a three-game suspension after losing his appeal against a charge for treading on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, the Football Association announced yesterday.

The Slovakia centre-back (30) was charged with violent conduct on the basis of video evidence after referee Martin Atkinson missed the incident, which occurred at the end of United’s 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday.

Skrtel appealed against the charge, reportedly claiming that he had trodden on De Gea accidentally, but his explanation was rejected.

“Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven,” the FA said in a statement on its website.

“The defender had denied the charge which related to an on-field incident involving Manchester United’s David de Gea in the 95th minute of Sunday’s game which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

“In the second-half everything is changing because of (Steven Gerrard’s) red and then we are not anymore playing like a team,” he said.

“We are running with the ball, unnecessary losses of the ball, so that was not so good.”

Di Maria’s confidence has noticeably plummeted since an attempted break-in at his Prestbury mansion in January.

Last month, he was substituted twice in successive games — ignominiously at half-time in the win over Sunderland — and was sent off in United’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal two weeks ago.

Van Gaal’s reaction to Di Maria’s weekend performance is a particularly bitter blow after the Dutchman showed plenty of compassion to the former Real Madrid midfielder after the attempted raid on his home.

And Manchester United’s on-loan striker Radamel Falcao hinted on Tuesday he could leave the club at the end of the season in search of more regular football, but said he was still committed to the English side.

Colombia forward Falcao missed last year’s World Cup through injury then moved on loan from Monaco to United where he has seen limited first-team action and scored few goals under manager Louis van Gaal.

“I think any footballer needs to play and is happy playing. I’m totally committed to the club, there are eight matches to go (in the Premier League) and anything can happen,” Falcao told Colombia’s Radio Caracol. — AFP.